Blues, barbecue bring crowd

Saturday's third-annual Blues and Barbecue, a fundraising effort for the Lumberyard Arts Center Project, was the best ever.

"It was a fabulous night," said Sandy Cardens, LACP co-chairman. "We had a good turnout and we grossed a little over $4,000. Everyone seemed to be complimentary when they left. One person said 'why don't you do it every month?'

"We had more than 300 people there, coming and going through the area," said Cardens. "We had people come down from Eudora and Lawrence, so the word is getting out."

She did add that a good chunk of the money came from a $1,000 check placed in the donation jar, which netted a total of $1,304. Donations from Vaughncraft and others also paid for the food.

The music was also a crowd pleaser, with the Baker Jazz Ensemble and Kansas City area blues band Shannon and The Rhythm King Band performing.

"I thought the music was terrific," she said. "I thought the Baker Jazz Ensemble was excellent."